Washing machine



Sept. 2, 1941-. A. 0. LONG WASHING MACHINE Filed March 2, 1938 5Sheets-Sheet 1 Sept. 2, 1941. A. 0. LONG 2,255,028

WASHING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 2, 1958 {NVENTOR flr b1 0009 ATTORNEY EPWEE Sept. 2, 194 1. A. 0. LONG 2,255,028

WASHING MACHINE I Filed March 2', 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Illlll.

.mllllll INVENTOR' .fir/r' Ola/79. BY%% 4 ATTORNEY Sept. 19.415 A. 0.LONG 2,255,028

I WASHING MACHINE Filed March 2, 193a I s Sheets-Sheet 4 I IIII ll!- 73i /20 Ar 6/ 0 10/79, 74

ATTORNEY Sept. 2, 1941. vM1 ONG 2,255,028

WASHING MACHINE Filed March 2, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 la I27 INVENTORATTORNEY position.

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of the electrical Patented Sept. 2, 1941UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE z.2s5,o2s I I Application;1:;8-,6S8e:i:2l)No. 193,459

' invention relates to washing machines, particularlyto those of therotary cylinder type.

and has for its principal object to provide a ma-- chine oi thischaracter which is constructed to operate efficlently using smallervolumes of wash liquid than are usually required in this type ofmachine. q

It is also an important object of the present invention to provide awashing machine of the rotary cylinder type wherein the cylinder isbodily movable to facilitate intake and discharge of the wash liquid anddumping of the washed clothes.

Other important objects of the invention are to provide a rotarycylinder machine which is of simple, inexpensive construction; toprovide a more eflicient movement of the wash liquid into contact withthe clothes; to provide a simple speed reduction mechanism wherein therotating power is applied directly to the cylinder; and to provide awashing machine of this character which is adapted for the washing ofindividual batches of clothes, each of the batches being washed andrinsed with fresh .liquids' separate from the other batches.

It. is also a-further object of the invention to provide a washingmachine of this character equipped for substantially automaticoperation.

In, accomplishing these and other objects of the invention,ashereinafter pointed out, I have provided improved details ofstructure, the preferred forms of which are illustrative in theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a w'ashingmachine constructed inaccordance with the present invention and showing the cylinder inwashing controls and the wiring therefor.

Fig. 4 is an end view of the machine.

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section through the machine showing thecylinder moved to position for charging with a washing solution or rinseliquid.

Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view of the clothes charging end of thecylinder showing the cover plate removed therefrom.

Fig. '7- is a plan view'of the machine.

Fig. 8 is a cross-section on the line 8-8 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a modified form of the invention.

Fig. 10 is an end elevational view of the closed charging end of themachine illustrated in Fig. 9,

a part of the end. wall being broken away to show the interiorconstruction of the washing cylinder.-

Fig. 11 is a longitudinal section of the chine illustrated in Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a detail side elevation of themachine particularlyillustrating the dumping lever and operating mechanism for retaining thecyllnder in its three selective positions.

v Referring more in detail to the drawings: l designates-a washingmachine constructed in I accordance with the present invention andincludes essentially a supporting frame 2, a rocker frame 3, and arotating cylinder 4.

ings l0 and II for journally mounting trunnions- I2 and I3 of the rockerframe.

The rocker frame lis shown as including side arms l4 and I5 extending inparallel relation with the side members of the supporting frameand'having inwardly directed ends Iii-l1 and ll-i! carryingsemicircular, yoke-shaped arms 20-2! and 22-23 terminating in abuttingears 24 and 25, the ears 24 and 25 being secured to gether by fasteningdevices 26 so that the yokeshaped arms form'circular bands 21 havingraces 28 with their axis extending at right angles to the axis or thebearings l0 and l I. The rocker frame also includes an arcuate bracket29 that connects the side arms I4 and ii at points preferably inalignment with the trunnions l2 and I3.

The cylinder 4 includes an annular. wall 20.

'circled by the yoke-shaped arms of the rocker frame and having bearingraces 31 cooperating with the bearing races .28 to mount sets ofantiiriction bearing members, such as rollers 39 and w, as best shown inFig. 5. The bearing races 8'5 areinset into the collars 35 and 36 toform annular stop shoulders 4l-42 and 43+ to engage the respective sidefaces of the yoke-like arms or the rocker frame I- v The washingsolutions and rinse liquids are charged anddischarged from the cylinderthrough the opening 23 and this opening is normally covered by adisk-like closure .45 having an .angularly extending peripheral flangeIt, conopening. The closure is normally retained in seated position by acoil spring 49, having one projecting from the boss 56 and bar 5|, asshown in Fig. 5. The closure is guidingly retained for movement to andfrom open position by means of pins 54 that are fixed to and projectoutwardly from the outer face of the closure and are guidingly mountedin openings 55 that are formed in inwardly extending lugs 56 on thecollar 35.

The collar 36 which encircles the opening 34 has an internal, annularshoulder 51 for seating the rim 58 of a cover plate 59, the coverplate59 being preferably provided with transparent panels 66 and 6| onopposite sides of a central cross bar 62. The cover plate is removablyretained on the annular shoulder by a cross bar 63 that is threadedlysupported on a screw shaft 64. The screw shaft 64 has its inner endprovided with a head 65 that is rotatably retained in a socket 66 on thecross member 62 of the cover plate, as shown in Fig. 5. The outer end ofthe screw shaft is provided with a hand wheel 61 whereby the shaft maybe rotated. The outer ends 68 and 69 of the cross bar engage underarcuate lugs I6 and 'II that project inwardly from the inner face of thecollar 36, as best shown in Fig. 6. When the cover plate is applied thecross bar 63 is inserted so that the ends thereof pass between theadjacent lugs 16 and II whereupon the bar is swung arcuately so that theends 68 and 69 thereof engage under one of the pairs of lugs. The handwheel is then rotated to move the ends of the cross bar into rigidengagement with the arcuate' lugs and the cover plate against its seat.

formed of material bent to form hollow vanes of V-shaped cross-sectionand provided with perforations covering the areas extending from theliner to the inner edges thereof, a .s shown in Fig. 8. Thevanes thusform liquid retaining pockets for carrying the wash liquid incidental torotation of the cylinder. The sides of the vanes are attached to theliner and spacers 18 are inserted in the annular space between thecylinder liner and the outer wall of the cylinder, as best shown in Fig.8.

The vanes preferably extend from the end 32 toward the opposite end ofthe cylinder where they connect with a perforated, ring-like shield 19corresponding in shape to the end wall 3i of the cylinder. The closure45, including its spring and supporting cross bar, are preferablycovered The cylinder is thus mounted for rotation o an axis extendingtransversely and intersecting the axis of the trunnions on which therocker frame is adapted to oscillate so that when the articles to bewashed are placed therein they are carried by the cylinder up the sidethereof until the forces of gravity overcome the rotational forcestending to carry the articles with the cylinder whereupon the articlesdrop back into the main body of the wash liquid in the bottom of thecylinder. In order to assure movement of the articles being washedincidental to rotation of the cylinder, and to assure picking up of thewater by the cylinder wall, I provide the cylinder with an innercylindrical liner l2 that-is spaced inwardly from the outer wall toprovide a liquid retaining space I3. The liner I2 is fixed in the bottomof the cylinder, the cylind is provided with a plurality of inwardlyextending blades or vanes 15 which are shown as being by a perforated,substantially concavo-convex partition 86 arranged with the concave sideoutermost. The inner periphery of the shield 16 joins with the partition86 to form an annular drainage space 8I into which the wash liquidsdrain to the exclusion of the articles being washed, when the cylinderis tipped incidental to discharging the wash liquid, as later described.

In order to rotate the cylinder about its longitudinal axis the wallthereof is provided at one side of the arch-shaped bracket 29 with aband 62 having grooves 83 for receiving belts 84. Mounted on thearch-shaped bracket 29 is a motor. 85 provided with agear head havingits driven shaft 86 provided with a pulley 81 having grooves 68 aligningwith the grooves 83 and in .which the belts 84 operate. The pulley 61 issmall in diameter relative to the diameter of the cylinder so that thecylinder is driven at the proper speed without further reduction. Thedirect beltdrive therefore simplifies the drive and eliminates necessityof expansive speed reducing mechanisms as is necessary in conventional'cylindermachines. The motor '85 is pref erably of the reversing typeand is energized through an automatically actuated reversing switch 89,later described, so that when' washing,

' the cylinder is rotated first in one direction and then in the otherto assure maximum agitation of the clothes in the washing solution.

In order to facilitate charging of the cylinder with wash liquid and torender the machine substantially automatic, the cylinder is oscillatedon the trunnions I2 and I3 so that the inlet opening 33 thereof israised into charging relation with a tank 96 which contains the washingsolutions, the tank 96 being supported above the cylinder as shown inFigs. 1 and 5 on a post or other support 9I. The tank 96 has a dischargeopening 92 in the bottom thereof which is connected with a shut-offsolenoid operated valve 93 carrying a flexible tube 94 that is adaptedto enter within the open end of the cylinder when the cylinder isoscillated to the position shown in Fig, 5. The tank is also equippedwith a sight gauge 95 having, graduations to indicate volume of waterrequired per pound of clothes.

To provide for automatic opening of the closure 45, when the cylinder istipped to the position shown, I provide the bearings I6 and II with theas the cylinder is tipped on the trunnions. The opposite ends of thepush rods carry yoke-shaped arms I06 and -II havin g their inner endsI00 and I09 terminating within the open end of the cylinder and carryingrollers H0 and III rollingly engaging the outer face of the closure 45,

The arms are supported as best shown in Fig. 1. in functional positionagainst the rotational thrusts of the closure by means of pins H2 and H3that project from the arms I06 and I01 and are guidingly supported'inopenings H4 and H5 in the ends of the rocker frame as best shown inFigs. 1 and 7. The push rods are normally urged to closure openingposition and-the rollers thereon against the cams .by means of coilsprings H6 and I I! that are sleeved on the rods and have one endbearing against the guides I00 and their I43 having connection with thecontact I43 through a conductor I49 and by a conductor I50 with thesecondary winding I5-I of a transformer I52, the primary I53 of which isconnected with the service lines I22 and I23. The other terminal of thesecondary winding is connected by a' conductor I54 directlywith theswitch arm I39. The contactsl40, I and I42 respectively are connected byconductors I55, I56 and I5I with solenoid switches I53, I59 and I60 thatare connected in the motor circuit I2I, the fixed contacts of theswitches being connected by a common conductor I6I with the service lineI 23. The solenoid actuated contacts of the switches I59 and I60 areconnected with the conductor I32 while the corresponding contact of theswitch I53 is connected with the conductor I33. The

switchesvl56 and I59 are supported on the side the cylinder rocksupwardly the rollers I04 and I05 ride into the dwells of the camsallowing the springs H6 and II'Ito come into play to causethe rollers topress inwardly on the closure 45 against action of its spring 49 so asto move the.

closure plate 45 from seating position as shown inFig. 5. The closureplate is similarly opened when the .cylinder' is rocked to the dottedline position as shown in Fig. 5, since the cams are symmetricalonopposite dlametrical sides of the high lobe portions thereof.

In order tooscillate the cylinder toand from I charging and dischargingP sitions, the-rocker frame is provided with a gear segment II9 that isfixed to the side bar I4 and is meshed with a pinion I20 on the armatureshaft of a motor I2I, the motor lfl being mounted on the side frame 5 asshown in Fig. 1. The motor I2I is also of the reversible type and isautomatically operated in timed relation with the motor 05, as now to bedescribed.

The motor circuits are illustrated in diagram in Fig. 2 and are suppliedwith an energizing cur- .rent from service lines I22 and I23 throughbranch conductors I24- 425 and I26'-I2I, the

conductors I24 and I2'I being directly connected switch I34 adapted formanual operation to close the circuit and which'is adapted to be openedautomaticalLy by a solenoid I35 in a timing circuit including conductorsI36 and I31 which connect .with a timing switch I38. The timing switchI38 includes a contact arm I39 that is moved across'a series of contactsI40, I40, I, I42 and frame 5 in position to be engaged by lugs I62 andI63 that are'mounted on theopposit'e ends of the gear segments. Thesolenoid switch I is mounted on the side frame at a point intermediatethe switches and is adapted to beengaged by the lug I63. Oneterminal ofthe solenoid valve 93 is connected by a conductor 93' with the contact I40' and the other terminal, as well as the other terminals of thesolenoid switches I53, I59 and I60, are connected by a conductor 93"with the conductor I50. 3

In order to actuate automatically the reversing switch I23 I provide aspring I64 for normally holding the switch arm in circuit closingposition relative to the conductor I30 and the switch is moved tocircuit closing relation with the eon-. ductor I3I by a solenoid I65having its leads connected with the-secondary of a transformer I66through conductors I61 and I60. The primary winding I69is connected tothe service wires I 22 and I23. Interposed in the circuit of the secondary winding is a timing element II0'for alternately opening and closingthe solenoid circuit so that the arm I23 of the switch 39 isalternatelymoved from one contact to the other, thereby reversingdirection of rotation of the armature shaft of the motor which reversesrotation of the cylinder. k

To prevent building up of pressure, when the washing machine is filledwith hot washing liquid, I provide the cylinder with a relief valve "I,having an operating arm I12 that is engaged by a cam I13 upon eachrevolution of the cylinder.

In operating a washing machine constructed and assembled as described,the switch I29 is moved to close circuit between the conductors I26 andI32 to energize the motor I2I so that the cylinder rocks to the dottedline position in Fig.

I43, which vary in length. and spacing correspending to the dwell inoperating sequences of the washing cylinder. The arm I39 is rotated by amotor I44, having its terminals connected 5. When the cylinder is inconvenient position to insert the clothes the switch I29 may be openedto stop operation of the motor I2I. The cover plate 59 is then removedandthe clothes to be washed inserted through the-opening 34. After theclothes have been inserted the cover plate is reapplied and securedtightly in position. The normal or starting position of the switch armI39 is between the contacts I43 and I40. The switches I34 and I41 arethen closed to energize the motor 85 to rotate the cylinder and themotor I44 which actuatesthe timing switch. As soon asthe arm I39 engagesthe'contact I40, circuit is established from the secondary winding I5'Ithrough the'conductor I54, arm I39, contact I40,

conductor I55, solenoid switch I56 and back to adapted tobe openedautomatically by a solenoid the secondary of the transformer, therebyenergizing the solenoid I58 and closing circuit to the motor I2I in theopposite direction through the conductors IIiI and I33. This causesreverse operation of the motor I2I to swing the end of the cylinderhaving the opening 33 into receiving relation with the hose 94. When thecylinder has reached the limit of its travel the lug I82 engages theswitch I58 to open the circuit, thereby stopping the motor I2I. Duringupward tilting movement the closure plate 45 has moved from open throughclosed and again to open position since the rollers I84 and I85 havemoved across the high lobe portions of the cams and by the time thecylinder has moved to its upper position the rollers are in the lowdwells of the cams so that the springs are effective in opening theclosure member. The switch arm I39 then engages the contact I48 toeffect opening of the valve 93 to discharge a given quantity of washingfluid into the cylinder, as indicated on the gauge 95. By the time theswitch arm I39 moves of! contact I48, the required amount of washingsolution has been admitted and the valve is automatically closed. Theswitch arm "I39 then engages the contact I so that the solenoid of theswitch I59 is energized to close that switch so that the motor I2I isenergized by a current flowing through the conductor IBI, switch I59 andconductor I32 which effects rotation of the motor I2I in the oppositedirection. As soon as the cylinder has been moved into substantiallyhorizontal position the lug I83 engages the switch I59 to open theswitch and interrupt circuit to the motor I2I. The cylinder is thenretained in horizontal position, as show in Fig. 3. In this position therollers-of the push rods rest on the high lobes of the cams so that thesprings IIS and H1 are compressed and the spring 49 is again effectivein seating the closure plate 45. The switch I34 having been closed toenergize the motor 85, current flows through the conductors I28 and I38to the motor 85 and back to the line through the conductor I21. Themotor will operate to rotate the cylinder in one direction until thetiming element is effectivein closing circuit to the solenoid whichopens theswitch 89 against action of its spring and effects contactbetween the conductors I 26 and I3I to reverse operation of the motor 85which causes the cylinder to reverse its' direction of rotation. Themotor 85 thus continues to operate first in one direction and then inthe other direction for the entire period that the arm I99 of the timingswitch is moving between the contacts MI and I42. During rotation of thecylinder the clothes tend to ride up the side wall of the: liner underthe lifting influence of the vanes until the force of gravity overcomesthe lifting force, whereupon the clothes roll over and drop back intothe bot tom of the cylinder. Simultaneously the wash liquid is carriedbetween the space between the liner and is caused to discharge over theclothes.

Reverse rotation of the tub produces sufficient agitation to bethoroughly effective in washing the clothes. When the contact arm I39reaches the contact I 42, circuit is established through the solenoid ofthe switch I88 so that current flows to the motor I2I through theconductors IBI and I32 which again energizes the motor to continuetipping thereof in a counter-clockwise direction or into the dotted lineposition shown in Fig. 5. The push rod rollers move off the high lobesof the cams and the springs thereon again become effective to open theclosure plate 45. The wash liquid is then discharged through the opening33 aided by continued rotation of the v During this position of thecylinder the partition 88 and shield 19 keep the clothes from contactwith the closure-plate 45, so that the water may run freely through theperforations in the shield and partitions and -be discharged'into a sumpthat is formed in the floor on which the machine is supported. By thetime the cylinder has been emptied of washing fluid, theswitch armengages the contact I43 which causes cnergization of the solenoids I35and I48 toopen automatically the switches I34 and I41, thereby stoppingrotation of the cylinder and opening of the timing switch circuit. Thewashing machine cylinder will remain in this position until the operatoragain closes the switches I34 and I41. The operator will then removethecover plate 59, after which he will close the switch I29 so that thecylinder is swung to clothes dumpin position. The switch I34 may alsobe'closed to start rotation of the cylinder, thereby aiding in dischargeof the clothes through the opening 34 into an extractor or otherreceptacle arranged to receive them.

The form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 9 to 12 inclusive isadapted for use in small laundries. In this form of the invention thesupport includes a pair of substantially A-shaped frames I14 havingbearings I15 for mounting a rock shaft I16. Fixed on the rock shaft is atransversely arranged bearing sleeve I18- for rotatably mounting thetubular spindle I11-that carries the washing cylinder I18. The washingcylinder l18 includes a substantially flat, disk-like rear wall I18 towhich the spindle I11 is secured and an annular, peripheral" wall I19terminating in a frusto-conical front wall I88 which carries an annularframe I8I forming an opening I82 through which articles to be washed areinserted into the cylinder. The opening I82 is closed by a cover I83secured in place by a clamping mechanism I84 similar to that illustratedin the preferred form of the invention.

The interior of the cylinder is provided with a perforated annular linerI85 that is spaced inwardly from the wall I19 and a perforated partitionor guard I85 spaced from the rear wall I18. The cylinder is alsoprovided with perforated vanes I81, similar to the preferred form of theinvention. The rear end of the tubular spindle I11 is normally closed bya valve-like door I88 that is hinged to the spindle, as at I89, andsecured in closed position by' a spring latch- I98. The cylinder isdriven by belts I9 I that operate -over a pulley ring I92 on thecylinder and over tively notches I98, I 99, 288 and 28I in the periphcryof a segment 282 that is'carried on meat the side frames I14. Byactuating the lever and allowing the pawl to engage one of therespective notches, the cylinder may be moved to and supported inwashing solution charging and discharging positions and to positions forinserting the clothes and discharging the clothes through the openingI82. In this form of the invention the washing and rinsing solutions arecontainedin bottles or similar container: 284 that are carcylinder.

rings forming a wash liquid inlet and discharge opening at one end ofthe cylinder and a clothes charging opening at the other end of thecylinder,

charging it with washing solution. The necks of the containers areclosed by corks 209 and the.

tops are open for filling purposes. The operation of the inventionillustrated in Figs. 9 to 12 inclusive is substantially that illustratedin the preferred form of the invention.

While I have described the operation of the machine illustrated in Fig.1 as being used'only with washing solutions, it is obvious that othertanks may be provided for containing rinses and other solutions that areused in the processing of clothes in laundry work.

From the foregoing it is obvious that I have provided a washing machinewherein the clothes may be washed with a minimum amount of washingsolution as all of the solution is effective on the clothes. It is alsoobvious that the automatic operation facilitates handling. of individualbatches of washing and each batch may be segregated and washed inseparate water from the other batches. Since the cylinder is sealed atboth ends it may be entirely filled with rinse water to reduce thenumber of rinses ordinarily required, .the idea being that rinsing isdiluting and that by filling the cylinder full, less rinses arerequired.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: v

1. In a machine of the character described, a washing cylinder havingconcentric axially arranged bearing rings forming a wash liquid inletand dischargeopening at one .end of the cylinder and a clothes chargingopening at the other end of the cylinder, closures for said openings, aframe having bearing members journalling the bearing rings for rotationof said cylinder about the axis thereof, means for rotating thecylinder, means tiltingly supporting said frame about a transverse axisrelatively to the cylinder axis for bodily moving the cylinder to raiseand lower the wash liquid inlet and discharge end of the cylinder to andfrom charging and discharging positions, and automatic means for openingand closing the closure at said end of the cylinder responsive tobearing rings, trunnions on the rocker frame havclosures for saidopenings, a rocker frame having bearing members joumalling the bearingrings, trunnions on the rocker frame having a common axis arrangedtransversely of the cylinder axis, a support for the trunnions, "means.for moving the rocker frame on the support about the axis of saidtrunnions to raise and lower the wash liquid inlet and discharge end ofthe cylinder to and from charging and discharging positions, and

means for opening and closing the closure at said end of the cylinderresponsive to movement of the rocker frame.

3. In a machine of the character described, a washing cylinder havingaxially arranged bearing rings forming a wash liquid inlet and dischargeopening at one end of the cylinder and a clothes discharging opening atthe other end of the cylinder, closures for said openings, a rockerframe having bearing members journalling the ing a common axis arrangedtransversely of the cylinder axis, a support for the trunnions, meansfor moving the rocker frame about said transverse axis of the trunnionsto raise and lower the wash liquid inlet and. discharge end'of thecylinder to and from charging and discharging positions, automatic meansfor opening and closing the closure at said liquid inlet end of thecylinder responsive to movement of the rocker I ame, a.

motor support on the rocker frame, a motor on the motor support, adriving ring on the cylinder and a driving connection between the motorand the driving ring to rotate the cylinder.

4. In a washing machine, a cylinder having charging openings at oppositeends, a perforated liner spaced from the inner wall of the cylinder,

means fixing the linerin the cylinder, closures for said openings, meansoscillatably mounting the cylinder for tilting movement transversely toits axis in opposite directions to respectively bring said openings tocharging positions, a guard covering one of said openings andcooperating with the liner for forming a drainage passageway to one ofsaid openings when the cylinder is tilted in a direction to bring theother opening into charging position, and means mounting the cylinderfor rotation about the axis of said cylinder.

I ARCHIE 0. LONG.

